Meeting of the Executive Committee May 20, 1998



Academy of Psychological Clinical Science

General Meeting

June 8, 2000

American Psychological Society Convention

Miami, Florida

The meeting was chaired by the Academy President, Dick Bootzin.

The Academy secretary, Peter Finn recorded the minutes.

In attendance were: Marc Atkins (University of Illinois, Chicago); Howard Berenbaum (University of Illinois); Richard Bootzin (University of Arizona); Pat Carmoney (Thomas University); Bruce Cuthbert (NIMH); Peter Finn (Indiana University); Don Fowles (University of Iowa); John Kline (Florida State University); Bob Levenson (UC Berkeley); Joe LoCastro (Boston Consortium); Dick McFall (Indiana University); Scott Monroe (University of Oregon); Tom Oltmanns (University of Virginia); Paul Pilkonis (Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic); Bill Sacco (University of South Florida); Varda Shoham (University of Arizona); Neil Schneiderman (University of Miami); Tony Spirtto (Brown University);; Tim Strauman (University of Wisconsin Medical School); Tim Trull (University of Missouri); Tom Widiger (University of Kentucky); and Antonette Zeiss (VA, Palo Alto)

The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Dick Bootzin.

The minutes from the 1998 meeting were distributed and approved at the break.

Treasurer's Report

Don Fowles reported that the Academy is in good financial shape. The current balance is $26,751.11. Our income exceeds our expenditures. Don indicated that we have to begin to think of ways to spend some of our income. We now have tax-free status with the IRS.

APS Program Committee

Dick Bootzin (chair of the clinical track of the APS program) indicated that the Academy is responsible for the clinical track of the APS program. The clinical program is strong this year. There will be a program planning meeting for the 2001 program immediately after the end of the APS convention.

Membership Committee

Tim Trull indicated that a call for applications for membership were sent out. One application was received and another is on the way. The committee decided to drop the deadline for applications and open up the process year around. This would remove any deterrent to applying and spread out the review process over the entire year as well. Dick Bootzin noted that the Academy has to work on recruiting more internships for membership.

Internship Committee

Tim Strauman reviewed the internship programs nominated by members and discussed how we might go about inviting programs to apply and on what basis should we decide to approach and invite a program to apply. Issues such as program's philosophy, commitment to scientific principles, the types of students programs like to attract and whether they offer opportunities for research experience.

Tim presented the Internship Committee Report on the success of our students in getting the internship of their choice. Essentially there was no difference in success of students getting internships: 97% were successful and 75% got their 1st choice and 38% were matched with APSC internships. Approximately 50% of accepted interns at APSC Internships are APSC students.

Tim pointed out that the computer match actually appears to work. The new APPIC form appears to be a significant improvement over the old. The kinds of information requested on the APPIC form makes it easier to identify excellent clinical science (APSC) students There was some general discussion that students should start thinking about intern earlier and would benefit from accessing specific information about APSC internships via their links with the APSC site. All programs were encouraged to make sure that their web sites are linked to the APSC site and provide the kinds of information that would help our students prepare their applications.

Ongoing review and accreditation of programs

Dick Bootzin introduced the idea that we should re-review each member program on some ongoing basis in a manner similar to the APA accreditation process. This could serve to strengthen each member program. It could also provide the opportunity for the Academy to learn about new developments within member programs. Some discussion ensued about the nature of this type of review process. It was concluded that the membership committee needs to look into the question and propose some guidelines as well as look into what to do about post-doctoral internship programs.

A report from the APA Program Consultation and Accreditation Office.

Susan Zlotlow, the Director of the APA Program Consultation and Accreditation Office, made a presentation to the group on the workings of APA's committee on accreditation (COA). Susan discussed topics ranging from the role of the US Department of Education in accrediting the COA, to how site visitors are selected, how the committee makes decisions on accreditation, appealing COA decisions, problems assembling site visiting teams, the constitution of the COA membership. Two major issues were identified as important concerns for the Academy:

1. the constitution of site visiting teams and the need for more APSC members to serve on these teams. This requires some training (COA training course) and commitment from individuals. In addition, some have to be 'chair eligible' and there has been some difficulty getting chair-eligible people from Academy programs. Susan also indicated that in the past there have been problems getting 'generalists' and the academy would be served better if some of our members were able to serve as generalists on site visiting teams.

2. the constitution of the COA and whether the Academy is represented on the COA in any fashion. There appears to be some competition for seats on the COA. Various groups want to be represented on the committee ( health psychology, neuropsychology) and some groups want more seats. It was concluded that the Academy should look for ways to be represented on the committee.

Report from Practice Guidelines

Dick McFall reported on the meetings of the Practice Guidelines Coalition. Dick noted that the idea behind the coalition was that the industry (insurance) realized that they needed guidance about what services they should cover and what not to cover. The industry invited the providers to help them make these decisions. There were representations from APA, APA, ANA, NIMH and other major players in mental health. The coalition decided that practice guidelines were good idea, but there needs to be a common set of guidelines. Two subgroups were charged to write model guidelines for 2 areas: 1. panic disorders, and 2. pain management. These subgroups reviewed the literature and developed treatment guidelines based on the empirical literature about what is effective and what is less effective (rank ordered interventions by what might be best (1st option) or 2nd option. Practice guidelines were written and circulated to the larger group. Treatment guidelines for Panic Disorder have been completed. Pain management guidelines are about to be circulated.

The critical question is whether each individual group of providers will want to buy into this approach of developing and following guidelines. Apparently some did not appear too enthusiastic, such as social workers, nurses, and some professional psychologists. Dick encouraged the Academy to join the process, voice our position (support) and help shape the guidelines. There was unanimous support that the Academy officially joins the coalition. Dick McFall will continue to be the representative.

Report from January CUDCP Conference

Varda Shoham described the rather unique annual CUDCP conference that brought together the directors of training from four major groups, CUDCP, CCTP, CDSPP NCSPP (clinical, counseling, school psychology, and professional psychology programs). Varda pointed out that although the idea was that we all should find some common ground, the meeting served to accentuate the differences among programs in approach to training. Nothing really new came out of the conference. The differences, the gulf, between clinical science and other approaches to applied mental health was readily apparent.

New Business

1. COA membership: A vote was unanimous that we should contact the APA COA and indicate that we would like to have representation on the committee.

2. Spending money: The Board decided at their meeting that a committee should be formed to develop policies and procedures for using Academy funds.

Dick McFall presented the idea of supporting a conference on "Integrative Psychology", clinical science at the cross-roads or integrated in with other areas of psychology, such as cognitive science, neuroscience, social and developmental psych.

Report from NIMH Workgroup on Agency Priorities,

Bob Levenson and Bruce Cuthbert discussed the new initiative at the NIMH to promote translational research, where basic behavioral scientists would team up with clinical researchers to translate advances in basic science to applied problems. The presentation included some historical background, how to attract basic researchers, developing translational research centers, how NIMH is planning to fund this new initiative (mechanisms, centers, collaborative grants, resource development grants, and rfas).

Nominations for the openings on the executive committee.

Nominations were requested to fill 3 positions on the executive committee:

1. 3rd rep at-large,

2. Treasurer

3. President-elect

The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 pm by the President, Dick Bootzin.

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download